Spring loaded clamp and method of holding intersecting frame members



Jan. 13, 1970 R. G. SCHMID 3,489,444

SPRING LOADED CLAMP AND METHOD OF HOLDING INTERSECTING FRAME MEMBERS Filed Dec. 20, 1968 ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,489,444 SPRING LOADED CLAMP AND METHOD OF HOLDING INTERSECTING FRAME MEMBERS Richard G. Schmid, Osgood, Ind., assignor to Gulf Oil Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 785,707 Int. Cl. F16b 7/00; F1611 3/08; E04c 3/00 U.S. Cl. 287-51 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coil spring, connected at both ends to the ends of a U-shaped rod having pointed lugs projecting from each leg of the rod is used to hold intersecting frame members. For example, the frame members of the bubble guide used to guide blown thermoplastic film can be clamped by means of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a spring loaded clamp and method for holding intersecting frame members.

Although many various clamping devices are well known in the prior art, the prior art makes no showing of a coil spring connected at both ends to the two ends of a U-shaped solid rod having pointed lugs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is a spring loaded clamp comprising in combination, a coil spring, connected at both ends to the two ends of a U-shaped solid rod having pointed lugs projecting outwardly from each leg of the rod, and both pointing the same way. Preferably both pointed lugs are the same distance from the arc of the U-shaped solid rod.

By means of the sprin gloaded clamp of this invention intersecting frame members, for example the bubble guide used to guide blown thermoplastic film as it is blown into a bubble from the extruder in the manufacture of thermoplastic film, can be held in the desired position and easily moved to another desired position. Also, this clamp never touches the surface upon which the bubble of thermoplastic film slides. Therefore, that surface is never scratched or marred and possible puncture of the film bubble is avoided. This is accomplished by simply positioning the intersecting frame members in the desired position and then slipping the spring loaded clamp of this invention over one end of one of the intersecting frame members, then sliding the clamp along the intersecting frame member until the clamp contacts the other intersecting frame member, then seating the pointed lugs into the intersecting frame member so that the frame members are held in the desired position. Preferably, at least one of the frame members is wooden so that the pointed lugs can seat easily. It is also desirable to have one of the intersecting frame members rectangular in cross section and the other circular in cross section. It is further preferred to have at least the rectangular cross sectional frame member wooden.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of the spring loaded clamp in position.

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross sectional side view of the spring loaded clamp in position.

3,489,444 Patented Jan. 13, 1970 "ice FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the spring loaded clamp alone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGURE 1 shows the spring loaded clamp in position with coil spring 1 over circular cross sectional frame member 5 and U-shaped solid rod 2 having outwardly projecting pointed lugs 3 seated in the rectangular frame member 4.

FIGURE 2 shows the side view with coil spring 1 connected to U-shaped solid rod 2 by S-shaped hooks 6 which have been braised or welded to U-shaped solid rod 2. Outwardly projecting pointed lug 3 is shown seated into rectangular frame member 4, and coil spring 1 is shown in cross section over circular cross sectional member 5.

FIGURE 3 shows an isometric view of coil spring 1 connected to U-shaped solid rod 2 by means of S-shaped hooks 6 braised or welded to U-shaped solid rod 2 and outwardly projecting lugs 3.

I claim:

1. A spring loaded clamp for holding intersecting frame members comprising, in combination,

a coil spring, connected at each of its ends to the end of a respective leg of a U-shaped solid rod with said U-shaped rod having pointed lugs projecting outwardly from the plane of each leg of said rod, and with said lugs both extending generally toward the open end of said U-shaped rod.

2. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the pointed lugs are both the same distance from the arc of the U-shaped solid rod.

3. The method of clamping intersecting frame members used to guide blown thermoplastic film consisting of positioning the intersecting frame members in the desired position, then slipping the spring loaded clamp of claim 2 over the outwardly extending end of one of said intersecting frame members, then sliding said clamp along said intersecting frame member until said clamp contacts the other intersecting frame member, then seating said pointed lugs into said intersecting frame member,

so that said intersecting frame members are held in the desired position by said spring clamp.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the frame members is wooden.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein one intersecting frame member is rectangular in cross-section and the other is circular in cross-section.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein at least the rectangular cross-sectional frame member is wooden.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,836,878 12/1931 Sauer 248231 2,558,768 7/1951. McCormick. 2,929,121 3/1960 Tinnerman 2875l XR DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner ANDREW V. KUNDRAT, Assistant Examiner U.S. cl. X.R. 24-81 

